The import value index stood at 176.50 in May, up 32.0 percent from a year earlier, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK).
The index continued to rise for the 18th consecutive month, after gaining 19.3 percent in April.
In terms of value, mining products import surged 75.7 percent in May from a year ago on higher commodity prices.
Import value for coal and oil products advanced 40.6 percent, and those for chemical and primary metal products soared 37.1 percent and 42.1 percent respectively.
The import volume index came in at 128.08 in May, up 6.2 percent from the same month of last year.
Import volume for coal and oil products shrank 12.9 percent, but those for computer, electronic and optical devices, and textile and chemical products soared more than 20 percent last month.
The export value index increased 19.9 percent over the year to 146.81 in May, while the export volume index added 7.9 percent to 124.86.
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